Speaking aid



June 19, 1956 L. B. ROEMHELD SPEAKING AID 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July50, 1954 IN V EN TOR. 1 0734/92 5. POEM/IE4 0 A 77' A/E'Y June 19, 1956B. ROEMHELD 2,750,598

SPEAKING AID Filed July 50, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arr .e/VEY UnitedStates Patent C SPEAKING AID Lothar B. Roemheld, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application July 30, 1954, Serial No. 446,759

Claims. (Cl. 3-1.1)

This invention relates to improvements in electrically energized meansfor providing a method of speech to persons who have lost their vocalcords or their entire pharynx, and particularly to a combination ofparts which will minimize the handicaps imposed by such loss.

Persons who are handicapped by the loss of the vocal cords or the entirepharynx but who retain all other portions of the body involved inspeech, are capable of speech if means are provided for replacing theusual vibrating action of the vocal cords upon movement of air in thethroat. The cylindrical device heretofore available for that purposerequires the use of one hand to locate and to hold such device in theposition on a persons neck at which vibrations are transmittedsufiiciently for coaction with the throat and head cavities, teeth,tongue, etc. for transforming the vibrating air column into word sounds,and to control energization of the device.

In prior devices it is diflicult to adjust either the diaphragm or thevibrator therefor to control the amplitude and frequency of vibrationsto the several values suitable for difierent persons and differentconditions. No means are provided to control the supply of electriccurrent to the electro-magnet for vibrating the diaphragm whereby thesame pitch and volume of sound can be produced regardless of thecondition of the electric current source. Electric switch means arecombined with the diaphragm and vibrator unit and have to be controlledby the hand holding such unit in position.

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide meansfor supplying vibration to the neck of a person without vocal cords orpharynx and thereby provide such person with a method of speech tominimize the handicaps otherwise imposed on such person.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supplyingvibration to the air in the throat and head cavities of a person withoutvocal cords or pharynx and in which both hands of such person are freefor uses other than control of the vibration supplying means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically activateddevice for vibrating the neck and head tissues of a person without vocalcords and which will be comfortable when in use, unobtrusive and readilyconcealable, while retaining full control of the operation of suchdevice by the person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibration producingdevice for producing sound in cooperation with a users throat and headcavities and the teeth and tongue and in which the amplitude andfrequency of vibration are easily adjusted by the user to a given formand quantity of electric current available.

Another object of the invention is to provide electrically energizedmeans for supplying vibrations as a substitute for the vibrationsusually produced by the vocal cords of a human being and to provide aplurality of adjusting elements whereby the user can readily controlboth the pitch and volume of the sound produced dependent on theconditions of the source of electric current, and in which parts may bereplaced or repaired with a minimum effort and delay and by anyonecapable of understanding the mechanical actions required of the severalparts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically activateddevice for producing vibration of and sound in cooperation with a usersthroat and head and in which the source of electric current is amulticell storage battery with the cells connectible selectively througha selector switch whereby the user may compensate for variations in theelectric power supplied while the device is in use and without materialinterruption of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically activateddevice for producing vibration of and sound in cooperation with a usersthroat and head and in which the circuit is controlled by either of twomicroswitches so placed as to be operable upon slight movement of eitherof the users arms and without material interference with other uses ofsuch arm.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically represents a person to show the manner in whichthe several sub-assemblies of the device are to be worn by the person.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the diaphragm-vibrator unit of thepresent device looking toward the side of the unit in contact with thepersons neck.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the diaphragm-vibrator unit togetherwith a band for retaining the unit in position, and in the relation inwhich the unit is worn by the person.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the plane of line 44 of Fig. 5, ofthe diaphragm-vibrator unit.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section on the planes of broken line 5-5of Fig. 7, of the diaphragm-vibrator unit.

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-section on the plane of line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse partial sectional and elevational view with aportion of the diaphragm-vibrator unit housing broken away.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental view similar to Fig. 5 to show sound andvibration absorbing means about some of the moving parts of thediaphragm-vibrator unit to silence and quiet the same.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of two control switch units and a band onwhich such units are mounted for wearing the same in the position shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the control switch units.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional View through one of the control switchunits.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but at a position from the positionshown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view on the plane of lin 13--13 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an encased storage battery as anelectric current source with a cut-oil switch and with a selectivelyacting switch unit for connecting one or more of the storage batterycells in circuit by way of a socket receiving a plug on a connectingelectric cord.

Fig. 15 is an elevation of the storage battery subassembly and with onewall of the unit casing cut away; and

the various sub-assemblies of the present device.

Generally, the present structure includes a diaphragmvibrator unit inwhich a floating diaphragm is vibrated upon electrical energization ofan electro-magnet coil with a vibrating armature. The armature actuatesa hammer for striking on a plate connected with the diaphragm, and alsoactuates a circuit-breaker for opening and clos ing the circuit of a D.C. (battery) supply of electric current which thereby causes vibrationof the armature. Both the hammer and the circuit-breaker are adjustablerelative to the electro-magnet armature to vary the amplitude andfrequency of the diaphragm vibrations for a given amount of electriccurrent available at a given voltage.

The source of electric current is a multicell storage battery with thecells so connected that one or more cells may be brought into electricalseries connection by the user dependent on the electrical condition ofthe cells and the volume of sound desired, and without taking the deviceout of use. The electrical circuit including the diaphragm-vibrator unitand the battery sub-assembly is controlled by closure of either of thetwo control switches upon pressure by either arm on a switch unit. Aknown and reliable type of micro-switch is so mounted as to be worn bythe user while protected from injury and while retaining the reliabilityof operation and the minuteness of closing movement inherent in suchswitches.

Specifically referring to the drawings by the parts numbers thereon, thediaphragm-vibrator unit is of gen erally arcuate shape to conformgenerally to the contour of the neck, and of a size which may be easilycorrcealed by clothing and does not require special clothing. One end ofthe unit is rounded in two directions whereby the unit may becomfortably worn on the neck of a person. The unit is relatively thin atone end but increases in size from such end toward the diaphragm end totransmit most vibration to the diaphragm. The unit is retained in thedesired position by an elastic band 21 detachably secured to andextending from the unit ends and around the users neck. An electric cord22 extends from the diaphragm-vibrator unit to a connector 23 of thesocket and plug type. Two identical control switches 27, 28 are mountedon a relatively broad elastic band 29 of a size to fit on the humanchest without excessive pressure and the ends of such band areattachable to one another by a snap-type or other suitable fastener 30.The switches 27, 28 are urged toward open position and are closed byslight pressure to control the time at which the diaphragm-vibrator unitis put into action. An electric cord 31 connects the switches 27, 28 inelectrical parallel and is adapted to be plugged into the connector 23.

Electric power is obtained from a multicell dry storage battery 35 inwhich the several cells are designated 35A to D inclusive and suchbattery is retained in a frame 36 of electrical insulating material onwhich is mounted an on-oil switch 37, a selector switch 38 and a socket39 for receiving the plug end on a cord 4t). Upon connection of cord 46with the connector 23 and the battery 35 and after closure of the switch37 an electric circuit is completed whenever the selector is moved intoone of the positions for connecting with one or more battery cells, andwhen one or the other of the control switches 27, 28 is closed.

The diaphragm-vibrator unit 20 comprises a casing of generally arcuateor crescent-like shape with the casing wall 46- rounded at one end. Suchwall has an aperture therethrough which is defined in part by a flange47 extending from one wall surface. The flange 47 is threaded externallyand receives a generally circular diaphragm 48 with a striker plate 49attached thereto in spaced relation by the spacers 59. The diaphragm isoutwardly flanged to seat on a resilient ring 53 on one edge of thecasing flange 47. A second resilient ring 54 rests on the diaphragmflange and is engaged by a flanged ring 55 threaded on the casingflange47. The diaphragm is accordingly movably mounted relative to the casingand can vibrate at an amplitude and a frequency determined by variousadjustments as will be described.

Another casing wall 53 has an aperture substantially closed by a plate59 to receive grommets 6! through which the conductors of cord 22severally pass in insulated relation. A third casing Wall 61 has a pairof studs severally adjacent to the ends thereof and an aperture intowhich is threaded a plug 62; attached to the casing by a cord 63. Thecasing is preferably formed or" relatively lard non-porous materialwhich may be electrically non-conductive and a poor conductor of heat.Such material is preferably of a kind which can be readily cast ormolded and which is susceptible to being colored. The casing is linedwith sound and vibration absorbing material 64 and such liner is formedwith holes matching the various apertures through the easing walls.

An electro-n'iagnetic sub-assembly is mounted in the casing and includesa base plate 66, on which is mounted an electric coil 67 and a core 63.One end of the core extends beyond the coil and at a right angle to thecoil axis and serves for mounting thereon of a vibrating memher. A block69 of electrical insulating material is attached to the base plate 66and core 68 and thereby connects and secures the vibrating member to thecore. The vibrating member includes a flexible strip 71 mounted on block69 to act as a spring and a rigid strip 70 of magnetically permeablematerial. Strip 71 need not be magnetically permeable but should beresilient and highly resistant to flexure fatigue. The vibrating member79, 71 is free at one end and has therein a threaded aperture in whichis mounted a threaded pin 72 serving.

as a hammer for acting on the striker plate 49. The end of hammer 72 isslotted for receiving an adjusting tool upon removal of the housing plug62 and is retained in adjusted position by a lock 73 of resilient wireengaging the hammer on the two sides and on the end of the vibratingarmature.

The free end of the vibrating armature 70, 71 also bears a rigid finger75 engageable with a resilient contact 76 attached at one end to thecasing and adjustable toward a fixed contact 78 by a screw 77. The screwmay be turned by a tool extending through the aperture in the housing inregistry with the screw. Both contacts 76, 78 are preferably somewhatresilient but contact 76 is so formed as to be urged away from thecontact 78 to bear on the screw 77. The two contacts 76, 78 form acircuit-breaker by which direct current from the battery is interruptedat a variable rate and thereby causes periodic energization of the coil37 and vibration of the armature 7071 to strike the hammer 72 on theplate 49 and thereby causes vibration of the diaphragm 48.

In addition to the sound and vibration absorbing housing liner 63, ablock 79 with high sound absorbing qualities is placed in the casingcavity containing the hammer 72 and the circuit-breaker 75-78 with acavity so cut out of the block as to allow free movement of the hammerand the circuit-breaker but otherwise substantially filling thediaphragm end of the housing. Thus the sound of the moving parts isreduced suificiently to avoid interference with either the hearing orspeech of a user of the present device.

Referring now to Figs. 15 and 16, it will be seen that the selectorswitch 38 has a rotatable contact arm by which one or more of the cellsA, B, C, D of the battery 35 may be brought into circuit when theshut-off switch 37 is closed. However, the vibrator is not activatedunless either control switch 27 or 28 is closed. Such switches areidentical and one of them is now described in detail. The controlswitches severally comprise a switch part which includes a rectangularbox-like member on which are mounted pairs of flange members 86, 87 ofwhich two similarly located flanges are slotted to receive the band 29as shown and the other similar flanges each has a pair of holestherethrough. The members 85, 86 and 87 has mounted therein a so-calledmicroswitch on a plate 88 and which is the well known mercury-containingtube provided with connections for the conductors of cord 31. Suchswitches are operable upon very slight pressure on a button 89 and areso located on the band 29 as to close a circuit when either arm ispressed on a switch sub-assembly.

A switch cover 91 is made box-like to receive the control switch 85, 89and the several flanges 86, 87 with a space between the flange edges andthe switch cover for permitting slight relative angular positioning ofthe switch 85-89 and of the cover 91 relative to one another. Guides 92are fixed adjacent to each corner of the cover 91 for severallyreceiving a spring 93 and to extend through a hole in switch flanges 86,87, the switch unit and its flanges being retained on the guides by nuts94 threaded thereon. The switch button 89 bears on a boss inside thecover 91 when the cover is pressed for closing of the micro-switch,against the action of the springs 93. As soon as the pressure of the armis released, the springs again lift the cover away from the switchassembly and the circuit reopens. Hence, a circuit from the battery tothe diaphragm-vibrator unit is closed upon slight pressure with eitherarm and is automatically re-opened upon release of arm pressure thusreducing limitations on the use of arms and hands to an insignificantdegree.

As compared to the only electro-mechanical device now on the market orin use for the present purpose, the device disclosed herein has theparticular advantage of applying the vibration more effectively so thatless power is required. It is therefore frequently possible to operatewith only a few cells thereby lengthening battery life and keeping oneor more cells in reserve for time when the greater volume of sound isrequired. More efiective application of the vibration also permits theuse of a lower frequency than heretofore which makes extended use of thedevice much less tiring than heretofore. Easy adjustment of thediaphragm and its hammer and of the circuit-breaker contacts producesbetter tone and also aids in giving better control of volume. Theprovision of a sound and vibration absorbing liner throughout the entirevibrator housing and the enclosure of the hammer and circuit-breakercontacts within a mass of high sound and vibration absorbing materialreduces the effort required to shut out extraneous sounds when thepresent device is in use and permits the user to concentrate on controlof the vibrating air mass to secure better articulation and betterunderstanding of the word sounds produced.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator for partially surrounding theneck of a person, a band attachable to retain the vibrator in a givenposition on the persons neck, the vibrator producing vibration of theair in the persons throat cavities, a source of electric current forconnection with and actuation of the vibrator, and a plurality ofelectric switches adapted to be located on the person for closure whileleaving the persons hands free, the switches being electricallyconnected in parallel for severally connecting the source of electriccurrent with the vibrator.

2. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator to be retained on the neck ofa person for vibrating the air in the persons throat and head cavities,a source of electric current for connection with and actuation of thevibrator, a plurality of electrical switches electrically connected inparallel for severally completing a circuit with the vibrator and thesource of electric current, and a band to be worn by the person andsupporting the switches for closure thereof by pressure while leavingthe persons hands free.

3. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator comprising a housing shapedfor partially surrounding the neck of a person, an electro-magnet in thehousing for vibrating its armature and a diaphragm vibrated by theelectro-magnet armature for transmitting vibrations to the air in thepersons throat cavities, and a source of electric current for connectionwith and actuation of the vibrator, and a plurality of electric switchesadapted to be located on the person for closure while leaving thepersons hands free, the switches being electrically connected inparallel for severally connecting the source of electric current withthe vibrator.

4. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator comprising a housing generallyof arcuate shape and having a rounded end portion for partiallysurrounding the neck of a person, an electro-magnet in the housing forvibrating its armature and a diaphragm vibrated by the electromagnetarmature, the diaphragm extending from the housing whereby only therounded housing end and the diaphragm bear on the persons neck, a sourceof electric current for connection with and actuation of the vibrator,and a plurality of electric switches adapted to be located on the personfor closure while leaving the persons hands free, the switches beingelectrically connected in parallel for severally connecting the sourceof electric current with the vibrator.

5. In a device for aiding in producing speech Without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator comprising a housing forpartially surrounding the neck of a person, an electro-magnet in thehousing for vibrating its armature, a diaphragm vibrated by theelectro-magnet armature and a sound and vibration absorbing liner forthe housing, the liner substantially covering the interior surfaces ofthe housing, a source of electric current for connection with andactuation of the vibrator, and a plurality of electric switches adaptedto be located on the person for non-manual closure, the switches beingelectrically connected in parallel for severally connecting the sourceof electric current with the vibrator.

6. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator comprising a housing enclosingan electro-magnet having an armature vibrated thereby and having ahammer thereon for impact on the diaphragm and having the movablecontact of a circuit-breaker thereon and a sound and vibration absorbingblock retained in the housing adjacent to the diaphragm and filling thehousing excepting for cavities therein receiving the hammer and thecircuitbreaker, a source of electric current for connection with andactuation of the vibrator, and a plurality of electric switches adaptedto be located on the person for non manual pressure closure, theswitches being electrically connected in parallel for severallyconnecting the source of electric current with the vibrator.

7. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator to be retained on the neck ofa person for vibrating the air in the persons throat cavities, a sourceof electric current comprising a carrying frame, a multi-cell storagebattery supported in the frame and a selector switch mounted on theframe for connecting any number of the battery cells in series, and aplurality of electric switches adapted to be located on the person forclosure while leaving the persons hands free, the switches beingelectrically connected in parallel for severally connecting the sourceof electric current with the vibrator.

8. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator to be retained on the neck ofa person for vibrating the air in the persons throat and head cavities,a source of electric current comprising a carrying frame, a multicellstorage battery supported in the frame, a selector on the frame forconnecting any number of the battery cells in series and a switchmounted on the frame for connecting the battery in circuit with thevibrator and the selector switch, and a plurality of electric switchesadapted to be located on the person for closure while leaving thepersons hands free, the switches being electrically connected inparallel for severally connecting the source of electric current withthe vibrator.

9. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator to be retained on the neck ofa person for vibrating the air in the persons throat and head cavities,a source of electric current for connection with and actuation of thevibrator, a plurality of control switches severally comprising a switchmember and a cover shell resiliently supported on the switch member, anda band to be worn by the person for supporting the control switches forselective closure of the switches by pressure on the shell 8 whileleaving the hands free and for connection of the source of current andthe vibrator.

10. In a device for aiding in producing speech without use of vocalcords, an electrically-activated vibrator to be retained on the neck ofa person for vibrating the air in the persons throat and head cavities,a source of electric current for connection with and actuation of thevibrator, plural switches severally comprising a switch member and acover shell resiliently supported on the switch member, guides fixedinternally in the shell and having the switch member movable thereon,springs coacting with the guides and acting between the switch member,and a cover shell for moving the shell relative to the switch member andthereby causing the switch member to open the circuit, and a band to beworn by the person for supporting the control switches for selectivenon-manual closure of the switches by pressure.

Schermerhorn Mar. 10, 1908 Wright Feb. 17, 1946

